Is Santa Cruz, CA tap water safe?
Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it
Summary
No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Santa Cruz Water Department.
2 public water systems serve parts of Santa Cruz. The largest, Santa Cruz Water Department, serves 94,626 people. Your water bill names your system.
Largest system
Santa Cruz Water Department
94,626 people · Surface water · EPA ID CA4410010
Buys treated water from Soquel Creek Water District.
| PFAS | Highest average | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFOS Not detected | – | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| PFNA Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected | – | 10 ppt |
ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.
Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0
Across California, 129 of 691 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 26 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. California results.
Santa Cruz homes and lead pipes
Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.
Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Santa Cruz city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.
Other water systems serving Santa Cruz
- Soquel Creek Water District40,962 people · Purchased surface water · California · reported ZIPs hereLithium above screening level
How nearby cities compare
| City | PFAS | Lead (90th pct.) |
|---|---|---|
| Watsonville 15 mi City of Watsonville | Above limit | 1.2 ppb |
| Los Gatos 18 mi San Jose Water | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Cupertino 24 mi California Water Service Los Altos Suburban | None above limits | 1.5 ppb |
| Morgan Hill 24 mi City of Morgan Hill | None above limits | 0 ppb |
| Gilroy 25 mi City of Gilroy | Above limit | 2 ppb |
| San Jose 25 mi San Jose Water | None above limits | 0 ppb |
Santa Cruz ZIP codes (3)
- 95060
- 95062
- 95064
Questions
Is Santa Cruz tap water safe to drink?
Santa Cruz Water Department has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.
Who supplies water in Santa Cruz, CA?
2 public water systems serve parts of Santa Cruz. The largest is Santa Cruz Water Department (94,626 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.
Does Santa Cruz tap water have PFAS?
None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Santa Cruz Water Department had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.
Do Santa Cruz homes have lead pipes?
Census estimates put 68% of Santa Cruz homes as built before 1980 (California: 56%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Santa Cruz Water Department's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.
Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.